Who is the Michael Jordan of metal detecting?

[FreeBirdTim]

How about the guy who "found" the Dent's Run Civil War gold? That guy's a legend in his own mind! Lol!

 

[diggin4clad]

Call me old fashioned but I just can't justify idolizing YouTubers.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

How about the guy who "found" the Dent's Run Civil War gold? That guy's a legend in his own mind! Lol!

Oh PPPUULLEEAASSEE don't start that here !

Yes, rest-assured he "found" (past tense) a fabulous treasure (never mind that he never physically touched it or saw it). But durned that FBI who came and stole it in the middle of the night. Eh ?

And unless you can prove this conjectured series of events never happened, then ..... Presto, it did therefore happen. Right ? The burden of proof is on you to prove the conspiracy DIDN'T happen, right ?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Call me old fashioned but I just can't justify idolizing YouTubers

True, since no one outside of the metal detecting community has ever heard of Beau, The Hoover Boys or Bill Ladd, they're not really celebrities. Can't imagine standing in line to get their autograph or wanting to have a photo op with them.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

But I might make an exception for Diggin' Britt!

 

[maxxkatt]

The real Michael Jordan of detecting will be doing as much as possible to keep a low profile.

I agree with Steve. When researching my book on the 1715 Spanish Treasure Coast Fleet wrecks along Florida's treasure coast I met two local gentlemen who cleaned up the beaches in front of expensive hotels in Fla and the Caribbean to the tune of $6,000 - $20,000 per month each. They would only talk to me if I did not revel any information on where they lived. They even would not give me their names. I was referred to them by another local detectorists who didn't do too bad himself. None of them posted any videos or even had a metal detecting user name or facebook page or anything. I did get to see about 30 of the better finds of one of them and they were all in or over the1 to 2 carat diamond range. At least that is what it looked like to me. The range of monthly dollars depended on the season.

 

[KOB]

I agree with Steve. When researching my book on the 1715 Spanish Treasure Coast Fleet wrecks along Florida's treasure coast I met two local gentlemen who cleaned up the beaches in front of expensive hotels in Fla and the Caribbean to the tune of $6,000 - $20,000 per month each. They would only talk to me if I did not revel any information on where they lived. They even would not give me their names. I was referred to them by another local detectorists who didn't do too bad himself. None of them posted any videos or even had a metal detecting user name or facebook page or anything. I did get to see about 30 of the better finds of one of them and they were all in or over the1 to 2 carat diamond range. At least that is what it looked like to me. The range of monthly dollars depended on the season.

Exactly my point. Because they are on a completely different level. And I'm sure Tom won't have a comeback on this one. Silence when defeated.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.... I did get to see about 30 of the better finds of one of them and they were all in or over the1 to 2 carat diamond range. .....

.... I'm sure Tom won't have a comeback on this one. ...

Oh my gosh, say-it-isn't-so !! ?? They "showed their finds" to a fellow hobbyist ?? Who now alludes to them here ? You mean .... they dared acknowledge their existence and "showed off" some trophies ? No no no, this isn't supposed to happen with anyone who's found stuff-of-value. Quick, change the story !

And I'll bet you dollars to donuts that those individuals alluded to are on the "ugly side of 50". Ie.: Just simply not on FB, forums, social media, etc..... At best, have an email, etc.... And have to have the grandkids help them navigate ebay, paypal, etc... Right ?

So it's NOT a question of "do guys (in general) compete and do show & tell". It's more a question of generations of the way we socialize. I bet those guys, in -among themselves (and you, when you were interviewing them) DO INDEED not-have-a-problem talking about, and showing their trophies.

So we're not really talking about the supposed conspiracy "hush hush because some are becoming millionaires". We're talking about generational differences in social interaction.

 

[beachclad]

I agree with Steve. When researching my book on the 1715 Spanish Treasure Coast Fleet wrecks along Florida's treasure coast I met two local gentlemen who cleaned up the beaches in front of expensive hotels in Fla and the Caribbean to the tune of $6,000 - $20,000 per month each. They would only talk to me if I did not revel any information on where they lived. They even would not give me their names. I was referred to them by another local detectorists who didn't do too bad himself. None of them posted any videos or even had a metal detecting user name or facebook page or anything. I did get to see about 30 of the better finds of one of them and they were all in or over the1 to 2 carat diamond range. At least that is what it looked like to me. The range of monthly dollars depended on the season.

Then they can't be the Jordans of detecting. MJ is famous. No one knows anything about these guys you mention.

That goes for all the mysterious unnamed MDers hunting out super-secret honey holes that no one knows about. I'm sure there is dark matter in the universe and planets that look like earth, but we need to actually see them.

"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

 

[cellrdwellr]

I think those names belong in the hall of fame of detecting, if it ever existed. When you can start winning championships for metal detecting, then we can start talking about the GOAT's of this sport. Yes we have our favorite successful hobbyist (like digginbritt ) but there's not a single one I would EVER compare to Michael Jordan. Just

 

[Tom_in_CA]

.... but we need to actually see them. ...

Correct. Ie.: Where does the burden of proof lie ?

To merely "speculate" does not qualify as "proof". No-more-so than the fall-back line of the dowsers/LRL crowd that their ranks are "filled with millionaires that simply choose to remain mum". That's simply an argument from silence.

And to the extent that we all might know of a few old-timers whose trophies simply aren't shown on our modern social platforms, then as I say, that's not a test of "human nature". That's merely a generational test of mediums of communication.

 

[beachclad]

I think those names belong in the hall of fame of detecting, if it ever existed. When you can start winning championships for metal detecting, then we can start talking about the GOAT's of this sport. Yes we have our favorite successful hobbyist (like digginbritt ) but there's not a single one I would EVER compare to Michael Jordan. Just

That's a great idea. Competitive metal detecting. Why isn't this a thing yet?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I do know a guy here, who's 4 or 5-ish yrs. younger than me, yet who started at about the same time I did . He would have been 11 yr. old-ish (grade school) and I would have been early high school 14 or 15-ish. D/t it was his uncle who got me into md'ing.

And he has since gone on to become a premier beach hunting pro. Such that I can not approach his skill and tallies @ local beach-erosion chasing and hunting. He has had up to, I think 7 gold rings in a single day's beach-storm erosion hunting. Yet he is not on any social platform (forums, FB, etc....).

And I know of a guy in So. CA, who has has a dozen gold, and 100 silver coins in a day (during the 1982-83 storms). Yet also simply isn't on any social media computer platforms.

But in each case, their trophies are no secret. They're not living like "hermits in the hills", who never hob-nob with other md'rs. Such that someone (like myself or maxxkatt with his FL friends) couldn't allude to them. And in each case, they're not "hiding" d/t they don't like to boast (ie.: accept high-5's and hunt with friends). But simply because they're the type of people who just barely check their emails.

 

[Donut]

I have seen so many that fit (think) that category when the have just gotten their new NOX and that gets to be funny.
I read and think this guy is teaching everything he knows (nothing). I hate seeing someone like that because he is (in a good intentions) to help others. And at times give the wrong information. Heck I’ve done that.lol.
Always ask yourself what is the detector asking or telling you.
Why is this or that.
None of us are perfectly here and every hunt is different.
Doug

 

[Steve]

Then they can't be the Jordans of detecting. MJ is famous. No one knows anything about these guys you mention.

That goes for all the mysterious unnamed MDers hunting out super-secret honey holes that no one knows about. I'm sure there is dark matter in the universe and planets that look like earth, but we need to actually see them.

"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

Ahhhhhh... so the most famkus5. Not necessarily the most successful. A guy using the big ctx coil between basketball sized boulders on a certain tv show comes to mind. A dozen or so books. A handful of tv shows. Several endorsements.. I don't think anyone else even comes close

 

[Shavnore]

Loose lips sink ships. I had an entire section of Asia to myself in Asia... now detecting is basically finished. Every unemployed guy has an equinox and swinging it at the beach day and night

You seem rather bitter Steve. What do you have against the Nox?

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[amc rulz]

But I might make an exception for Diggin' Britt!

I surely dig her!

 

[diggin4clad]

A gentleman from Wisconsin comes to mind.


Gary Drayton ahh, claims to be a metal detection expert. How does one achieve that title ? Theres a guy on this forum been at it for over 50 yrs and never heard him claim to be an expert. JMO Mark

After the "Oak Island" show is finally cancelled NO ONE will ever hear of Gary Drayton the so-called "metal detecting expert" again.

 

[KOB]

After the "Oak Island" show is finally cancelled NO ONE will ever hear of Gary Drayton the so-called "metal detecting expert" again.

Sure you will. He will be in search of Al Capone's vault. Oh wait...Geraldo already found that....

 

[diggin4clad]

Sure you will. He will be in search of Al Capone's vault. Oh wait...Geraldo already found that....

Yes, Geraldo already opened that vault BUT they can still make a show with Drayton going back into the vault with his metal detector. I can hear the narrator now...……."What? A piece of metal ? In Al Capone's vault? Were the Knights Templar here many years ago? Then they can start drilling through the floor 187 feet down hoping to find wooden fibers.